no, not a Zoot Suit...

As I'm going to be back on the market in the foreseeable future, I'm thinking I need to start looking halfway presentable. I'd like to get a suit, something styled from the 40's, but I can't afford to have a tailor make it. Can anyone suggest a affordable source of big/tall slacks/jackets/vests that would match that style? I thought about the local University Theater Department as a source for someone who could do the fitting or suggestions for fabric/color/cut but they won't have anything in my size.

Job market or love market?

Watch the sales on Josbank.com. You'll be able to get a decent suit for less than $200. Take it into a good tailor when you get it, and for $50 more you'll look dapper.

If you really want a 1940s suit, look for good vintage clothing shops in your area but finding one in good condition may be difficult - after all, you're talking about 65 or 70 year old clothing. Note that they are going to fit a lot different than today's suits, for one thing the waists were generally much higher back then.

Any decent men's store (like Joseph A. Bank mentioned above) should be able to sell you a classically styled suit that will look good.

Of course, you'll have to start smoking and wearing a fedora.

The 60's style has made it way back, watch Mad Men you can find a similar style suit today. I would assume the average male would not fit into a 70 year old suit, my great grandfather was a giant at 6'1". I purchased a suit 2 + years ago I bought two, one at JCPenneys and the other at Kohl's, one is a everyday suit the other is a interview or dinner party suit for a combined cost of $330.

Ebay. It's amazing what you can find for pennies on the dollar. I bought a new, high quality jacket made in Italy, for $40 on ebay last time I was looking.

Are you a normal sized modern guy? I am on the higher end of that- 6'2", 240, and it is very rare that any old clothes come even close to fitting me. I grew through my Uncle Kens WW2 RCAF bomber jacket between grade 6 and 7...

JohnRW1621 wrote: Job market or love market?

His screen name is "Stroker" so I'm guessing job market!

I'll be in both markets once the divorce is finalized. I'm very, very doubtful I'll find any genuine suits from the 40's for 6' 4" with a 48" chest. I still need to lose a bunch of weight but I need at least one suit to tide me over. I looked at the usual online sources but all they're selling is cheap polyester crap. I'll check Josbank.com but was hoping someone knew of an affordable specialty retailer. I spent some time online looking but all I can find are full-service tailors with bendover pricing.

Sport jacket and tie will often do the job for much less money. More comfortable too.

No Leisure suit ?

Men's Wearhouse actually has some nice stuff, it's worth a look. http://www.menswearhouse.com/

I’ve been buying all of my dress slacks from Jo A. Bank for several years and two of my suites are from them.

The quality of the material is surprisingly good for the money if you keep track of their specials and go in at the right time. If you just wander in, you’re likely to be confronted with some dumb buy one at full price / get eighteen free offer which, in my mind, means I just paid full price since I only needed one.

Also, they are notoriously slow with tailoring so start the process well in advance of when you need the garments. You could go to a separate tailor but then you’re making additional trips and if something goes wrong, there’ll likely be a bunch of finger pointing.

Lastly, budget a few extra bucks for the “travelers crease thingy”…it works, just spring for it.

Bottom line, Jo A. Bank offers good value but there’s a learning curve.

Hope this helps.

So a suit styled from the '40's eh?

why not go all out and go back to the 1840's?

I found a nice JoS A Bank wool suit at the thrift store for $20 for my last interview. $10 at the tailor and some ironing later I looked like the cat's meow.

I'll put another vote in for Jos A Bank. I've found some VERY good deals there, the suits hold up well. I wear a suit 3 or more times a week, so they see lots of use and I'm happy with them.

Macys, watch for coupons in the paper.

2nd choice, JCPenny.

Mad Men stuff is available, but bring at least $1,000 with you.

Have you considered a cape?

In reply to novaderrik:

I'm thinking more like this:

http://www.rustyzipper.com/mens/suits/30s40s/

http://monkeysuitvintage.com/

914Driver wrote: Macys, watch for coupons in the paper. 2nd choice, JCPenny. Mad Men stuff is available, but bring at least $1,000 with you.

2nd vote for JCP. Its cheap enough on sale you can experiment with your tailor on how to give it the look you want, and they honestly have some pretty cool tweedy/herringbone/camel skin type fabrics from time to time. I used to spend a lot of money on suits until SWMBO convinced me to go the Penney's. I can mix and match my pricey suits with my JCP suits and even if you get a good feel of the fabric, you can't tell which is which. I've also picked up some pretty boss sport jackets on sale, and everything I buy there fits without tailoring, if a little big in the waist, which is a feat (52R).

I don't know what you will be wearing suits for, but if they end up looking too cos-play no one's going to take you seriously. Some hints of the past is cool, draping yourself in it is not so much. Some of these pics of that style look a little cartoonish today, especially if everyone else around you isn't wearing they same style...